PAC takes mediation path
The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has taken a mediation path to resolve the electoral impasse that has halted the announcement of the winners of the May 20 Tripartite Elections.
PAC executive director Robert Phiri said yesterday that a mediation team, which was instituted in February this year to intervene in any major electoral disputes, has already met the four presidential candidates at the centre of the stalemate.
He said immediately the disputes emerged, the team of six, which was instituted by the Board of Trustees but not necessarily from the group’s executive committee, was called to duty to explore ways of ending the deadlock.
Phiri said the team has already met President Joyce Banda who also represented People’s Party (PP), Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate Lazarus Chakwera, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) torchbearer Peter Mutharika and United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Atupele Muluzi.
Said Phiri: “You will recall that presidential candidates signed a Lilongwe Peace Declaration on 10 May 2014. The latter has been a launch pad for these consultations with the four.
“Let me underline the fact that at this stage the team only offered a listening ear to appreciate [the candidates’] position on the electoral situation.”
He said the mediation process was contributing to other efforts taken by various interested parties.
